Portable device having electric outlets that provide AC electrical power and electrical power for charging electronic communication devices

ABSTRACT

A portable apparatus for providing electrical power receptacles and device charging ports has a bottom panel member having a top side and a bottom side. A wall structure is attached and substantially perpendicular to the top side of the bottom panel member. The wall structure defines an interior region and comprises a plurality of sections wherein each section has an opening therein. Electrical power devices are located within the interior region. Each electrical power device is attached to a corresponding section of the wall structure and has an electrical power receptacle and device charging ports that are positioned within the opening in the corresponding section of the wall structure. A top panel member covers the interior region defined by the wall structure. The wall structure is attached to the top panel member. An electrical power cable is electrically connected to all of the electrical power devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/293,973, filed Jun. 2, 2014, which application claims the benefit ofthe filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/830,882,filed Jun. 4, 2013. The entire disclosures of U.S. application Ser. No.14/293,973 and 61/830,882 are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable apparatus for providingelectrical power receptacles and device charging ports.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Apparatuses and devices that provide electrical power receptacles areknown in the art. Examples of such apparatuses and devices are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 372,018, Des. 389,459, 6,042,426 and 7,760,516.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable apparatusthat provides electrical power receptacles and device charging ports.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable apparatusfor providing electrical power receptacles and device charging ports,comprising a bottom panel member having a top side, a bottom side and athrough-hole for receiving an electrical power cable. The portableapparatus further comprises a wall structure attached and substantiallyperpendicular to the top side of the bottom panel member. The wallstructure defines an interior region. In one embodiment, the wallstructure comprises three sections wherein each section has an openingtherein. The portable apparatus includes a plurality of electrical powerdevices located within the interior region defined by the wallstructure. Each electrical power device is attached to a correspondingsection of the wall structure. Each electrical power device comprises atleast one electrical power receptacle and at least one device chargingport. The electrical power receptacle and device charging port arepositioned within the opening in the corresponding section of the wallstructure. The portable apparatus further comprises a top panel memberpositioned over the wall structure so as to cover the interior regiondefined by the wall structure. The top panel member has a top side and abottom side. The wall structure is attached to bottom side of the toppanel member. The portable apparatus further comprises an electricalpower cable having a first portion that extends through the through-holein the bottom panel member and is electrically connected to all of theelectrical power devices. The electrical power cable includes a secondportion that is configured for connection to an electrical power source.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the ensuing description, claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a portable apparatus for providingelectrical power receptacles and device charging ports in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an interior region defined by the wallstructure shown in FIGS. 1-3, the bottom panel member not being shown inorder to facilitate viewing of the interior region;

FIG. 8 is a diagram, in perspective, of the electrical power devicesshown in FIG. 7, the electrical power devices being electricallyconnected to an electrical power cable;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the interior region defined by the wallstructure, the top panel member and bottom panel member not being shownso as to facilitate viewing of the interior region;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view, in elevation, of the portable apparatusconfigured with a clamping device to allow the portable apparatus to beremovably attached to an article of furniture;

FIG. 11 is a side, elevational view showing components of the clampingdevice fastened together;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the portable apparatus of FIG. 10being mounted to an article of furniture using the clamping device;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views showing the portable apparatusmounted to the article of furniture using the clamping device, the viewshowing a portion of the article of furniture cut-away so as tofacilitate viewing of the components of the clamping device;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a portion of the view shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fastener device shown in FIGS. 10-15;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the fastener device;

FIG. 18 is an end view taken along line 18-18 in FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is an end view taken along line 19-19 in FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown portable apparatus 10 forproviding electrical power receptacles and device charging ports inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Portable apparatus 10comprises bottom panel member 12 which has top side 14 and bottom side16. A plurality of feet members 18 are attached to bottom side 16 withfastening devices 19A that are located in bores or cavities 19B formedin feet members 18. Fastening devices 19A can be configured as screws,rivets, or any other suitable fastening device. Feet members 18 arefabricated from any suitable material such as rubber, neoprene rubber,resin, plastic, polyvinylchloride, etc. Feet members 18 are described indetail in the ensuing description.

Portable apparatus 10 further comprises wall structure 20 that isattached to top side 14 of bottom panel member 12. Portable apparatus 10also includes top panel member 22. Top panel member 22 has top side 24and bottom side 26. Wall structure 20 is attached to bottom side 26 oftop panel member 22. Wall structure 20 is between bottom panel member 12and top panel member 22. In a preferred embodiment, wall structure 20 issubstantially perpendicular to bottom panel member 12 and substantiallyperpendicular to top panel member 22. Bottom panel member 12 issubstantially parallel to top panel member 22. In one embodiment, topside 24 of top panel member 22 is substantially flat. Preferably, bottompanel member 12 and top panel member 22 have substantially the sameshape and size. Therefore, bottom panel member 12 and top panel member22 have substantially the same perimeter. Bottom panel member 12 hasperimetrical edge 30 and top panel member 22 has perimetrical edge 32.In one embodiment, bottom panel member 12 and top panel member 22 arefabricated from metal, e.g. steel, aluminum, iron, etc. However, othersuitable materials may be used, e.g. plastic, resin, etc.

Any suitable technique may be used to attach wall structure 20 to topside 14 of bottom panel member 12 and bottom side 26 of top panel member22, such as screws, rivets or other fastening devices. In oneembodiment, wall structure 20 is integrally formed with top panel member22, and bottom panel member 12 is removably attached to wall structure20. Wall structure 20 has a perimeter that is less than the perimetersof bottom panel member 12 and top panel member 22 so that wall structure20 is off-set from perimetrical edges 30 and 32. Electrical power cable52 includes plug portion 54 which is configured to be plugged into an ACpower receptacle (e.g. 115-120 VAC). In one embodiment, electrical powercable 52 includes magnet 56 that is attached to plug portion 54. Magnet56 can be magnetically attached to either bottom panel member 12 or toppanel member 22. The purpose of magnet 56 is discussed in the ensuingdescription. Electrical power cable 52 further comprises electricalwires that are described in the ensuing description.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, wall structure 20 defines interior region 80.FIG. 7 is a view looking through the bottom of portable apparatus 10with bottom panel member 12 removed so as to facilitate viewing ofinterior region 80. Wall structure 20 comprises sections 90, 92 and 94.All sections 90, 92 and 94 have the same length. Wall section 20 hasrounded or curved portions 95, 96 and 97. Section 90 is contiguous withrounded or curved portions 95 and 97. Section 92 is contiguous withrounded or curved portions 95 and 96. Section 94 is contiguous withrounded or curved portions 96 and 97. Section 90 has interior side 100and exterior side 102. Section 92 has interior side 104 and exteriorside 105. Similarly, section 94 has interior side 106 and exterior side108. Portable apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of identicallyconstructed electrical power devices 150, 160 and 170. Electrical powerdevice 150 is mounted to section 90 of wall structure 20 and compriseselectrical power receptacle 180 and device charging ports 184.Electrical power receptacle 180 and device charging ports 184 protrudethrough a generally rectangular shaped opening in section 90. In apreferred embodiment, electrical power device 150 is removably attachedto section 90 with a pair of fastener devices. In such an embodiment,each fastening device comprises a screw and nut, such as screw 186 andnut 187. In one embodiment, screw 186 is attached to interior side 100of section 90. Electrical power device 150 comprises electrical contactsfor the connection of electrical “hot”, “neutral” and ground wires whichare described in the ensuing description. In a preferred embodiment,electrical power receptacle 180 is configured to provide 110-120 VAC.However, it to be understood that electrical power device 150 may beconfigured so that electrical power receptacle 180 provides a differentvoltage. Electrical power device 150 comprises power conversioncircuitry that converts 115-120 VAC to a relatively lower voltage thatis provided at device charging ports 184. This relatively lower voltageis used to charge and power devices such as cell phones, smart phones,tablets, e-readers, digital recorders, cameras, iPads, iPods, MP3players, etc. The devices to be charged, e.g. smart phone, are pluggedinto device charging ports 184. In a preferred embodiment, each devicecharging port 184 comprises a USB charging port. In one embodiment,electrical power device 150 is configured so that each device chargingport 184 provides 5 VAC @ 700 mA (milliamperes). However, it is to beunderstood that electrical power device 150 can be configured so thateach device charging port 184 provides other voltage levels andcurrents. For example, in an alternate embodiment, each device chargingport 184 is a USB charging port that provides 5 VAC @ 500 mA. In oneembodiment, each electrical power device 150, 160 and 170 is acommercially available Combination USB Charger With Tamper ResistantReceptacle-TR7740, manufactured by Cooper Wiring Devices of PeachtreeCity, Ga.

As shown in FIG. 8, electrical power device 150 has electrical contact190 to which is connected electrical ground wire 192. Electrical powerdevice 150 has electrical contact 194 to which is connected hotelectrical wire 196. Electrical power device 150 also has an electricalcontact 197 to which is connected neutral electrical wire 198. Referringto FIGS. 7-9, electrical power device 160 is removably attached tointerior side 104 of section 92 of wall structure 20. Electrical powerdevice 160 comprises electrical power receptacle 200 and device chargingports 202. Electrical power receptacle 200 and device charging ports 202protrude through a generally rectangular shaped opening in section 92.Electrical power device 160 is removably attached to interior side 104in the same way as electrical power device 150 is removably attached tointerior wall 100. Electrical power device 160 is identical toelectrical power device 150 and includes electrical contacts for theconnection of electrical ground, “hot” and neutral wires. Electricalpower device 170 is removably attached to interior side 106 of section94 of wall structure 20 by the same technique used to removably attachelectrical power devices 150 and 160 to interior sides 100 and 104,respectively. Electrical power device 170 is identical in constructionto electrical power devices 150 and 160 and comprises electrical powerreceptacle 300 and device charging ports 302. Electrical powerreceptacle 300 and device charging ports 302 protrude through agenerally rectangular shaped opening in section 94. Electrical powerdevice 170 includes electrical contacts for the connection of electricalground, “hot” and neutral wires.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, electrical power cable 52 is secured to bottompanel member 12 by strain relief clamp 350. Plug portion 54 ofelectrical power cable 52 is configured to be plugged into an externalelectrical power receptacle (not shown) that provides between 110 and120 VAC. In one embodiment, electrical power cable 52 is a three-wire,14-gauge electrical power cable comprising “hot” electrical power wire360, neutral electrical power wire 362 and electrical ground wire 364.Electrical wires 360, 362 and 364 extend into interior region 80.Electrical power wire 360 is electrically connected to electricalconnector 400 which is located within interior region 80. Electricalwire 362 is electrically connected to electrical connector 402 which islocated within interior region 80. Electrical ground wire 364 iselectrically connected to electrical ground connector 404 which islocated within interior region 80 and conductively connected to top side14 of bottom panel member 12. All electrical “hot” wires that areelectrically connected to electrical power devices 150, 160 and 170 areelectrically connected to electrical connector 400. All electricalneutral wires that are electrically connected to electrical powerdevices 150, 160 and 170 are electrically connected to electricalconnector 402. All electrical ground wires that are electricallyconnected electrical power devices 150, 160 and 170 are electricallyconnected to electrical ground connector 404.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, all feet members 18 are preferablyidentical in construction and shape and have body portion 500 andextending portion 502 that extends from body portion 500. Portion 502 isspaced apart from bottom side 16 of bottom panel member 12 such thatspace 504 exists between extending portion 502 and bottom side 16.Portion 502 has a plurality of ribs or ridges 506 formed thereon. Whenportable apparatus 10 is not in use, a user may wrap electrical powercord 52 around feet members 18 so that the electrical power cord 52becomes positioned within the spaces 504. Ribs or ridges 506 preventelectrical power cable 52 from sliding off extending portions 502. Onceelectrical power cable 52 is completely wrapped around feet members 18,magnet 56 can be magnetically attached to either bottom panel member 12or top panel member 22.

In one embodiment, all feet members 18 have a threaded nut 520 embeddedtherein (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Each threaded nut 520 is configured toreceive a complementary screw (not shown). Such an embodiment provides auser with the option of using the threaded nuts 520 and thecomplementary screws (not shown) to removably attached portableapparatus 10 to an article of furniture such as a table, desk, workbench, work station, conference table, etc. In such an embodiment, thecomplementary screws are inserted through corresponding through-holes inthe article of furniture and engaged with threaded nuts 520. In such anembodiment, the article of furniture has a through-hole sized to allowelectrical power cable 52 to pass therethrough. In one embodiment, eachthreaded nut 520 is fabricated from brass. However, other suitablemetals can be used to fabricate threaded nut 520.

In one embodiment, portable apparatus 10 is configured with a clampingdevice for removably attaching portable apparatus 10 to an article offurniture 700. Examples of an article of furniture include a work table,work bench, conference table, etc. Referring to FIGS. 10-19, theclamping device comprises fastener device 600 that is attached or joinedto bottom panel member 12. Fastener device 600 is substantiallyperpendicular to bottom panel member 12 and has distal end 602 (seeFIGS. 15 and 16). Any suitable method can be used to attach or joinfastener device 600 to bottom panel 12. Fastener device 600 includes end603 that is opposite distal end 602. End 603 is configured and sized tobe pressed-fit through bottom panel member 12. In another embodiment,fastener device 600 is integral with bottom panel member 12. In afurther embodiment, fastener device 600 is welded, spot welded or brazedto bottom panel member 12. In one embodiment, fastener device 600 is aself-clinching fastener. Fastener device 600 further includes threadedbore 604 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) and opening 605 at distal end 602 thatprovides access to threaded bore 604. The clamping device furthercomprises plate member 606 which has opening 608. In one embodiment,opening 608 is substantially centrally located. Plate member 606 hasfirst side 610 for contacting bottom side 702 of article of furniture700. Plate member 606 further comprises opposite, second side 612. Firstand second sides 610 and 612, respectively, are substantially flat. Theclamping member further comprises threaded member 620. Threaded member620 comprises shaft portion 621 which is threaded for its entire length.Shaft portion 621 is sized to be inserted through opening 608 in platemember 606. Shaft portion 621 is configured to be threadedly engagedwith threaded bore 604 of fastener device 600. Shaft portion 621 has adiameter and a longitudinally extending axis. Threaded member 620 alsoincludes head portion 622 that has a size that is relatively larger thanthe diameters of shaft portion 621 and opening 608 in plate member 606.Threaded member 620 may be configured as a thumb screw. In oneembodiment, the clamping device includes washer member 630 that hascentral opening 632, first side 634 and opposite, second side 636.Central opening 632 has a diameter that is relatively smaller than thesize of head portion 622. Washer member 630 is positioned between platemember 606 and head portion 622 and shaft portion 621 is disposedthrough central opening 632.

In order to clamp portable apparatus 10 to article furniture 700, a userfirst drills a through-hole 710 through the article of furniture 700(see FIGS. 12 and 15). Through-hole 710 must be sized to receive shaftportion 621 of threaded member 620. Next, the user positions portableapparatus 10 over through-hole 710 so that opening 605 is aligned withthrough-hole 710. The user then inserts shaft portion 621 throughcentral opening 632 of washer member 630 and through opening 608 ofplate member 606 and into through-hole 710 and into opening 605 offastener device 600. The user then uses head portion 622 to screw shaftportion 621 into threaded bore 604 of fastener device 600 until firstside 610 of plate member 606 is firmly pressed against bottom side 702of article furniture 700. When first side 610 of plate member 606 firmlycontacts and presses against bottom side 702, first side 634 of washermember 630 also firmly contacts and presses against second side 612 ofplate member 606 and head portion 622 firmly contacts and pressesagainst second side 636 of washer member 630. The thickness of articleof furniture 700 will determine how long the user will have to continueto screw shaft portion 621 into threaded bore 604. Portable apparatus 10is now firmly attached to article of furniture 700.

Portable apparatus 10 is relatively light in weight and can beconveniently placed on desks, conference tables, work stations, workbenches, etc. Portable apparatus 10 can be configured to have anysuitable size. In one embodiment, portable apparatus 10 is configured sothat bottom panel member 12 and top panel member 22 each have a diameterof about nine (9) inches. In one embodiment, portable apparatus 10 has aheight of three (3) inches.

In an alternate embodiment, portable apparatus 10 can be configured sothat wall structure 20 has more than three sections. For example, wallstructure 20 may be configured to have four sections that are arrangedas a square. It is preferred that in such embodiments, the wallstructure is offset from the perimetrical edges of the top panel memberand bottom panel member.

Any suitable materials may be used to fabricate portable apparatus 10 orportions thereof. Such materials include metals, composite materials,plastics, resins, etc.

It will be understood that many additional changes in the details,materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been hereindescribed and illustrated in order to explain the nature of theinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principleand scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. Itis not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed; and obviously many modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications andvariations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined bythe accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable apparatus for providing electricalpower receptacles and device charging ports, comprising: a bottom panelmember having a top side, a bottom side and a through-hole for receivingan electrical power cable; a wall structure attached and substantiallyperpendicular to the top side of the bottom panel member, the wallstructure comprising three wall sections and three rounded cornersections that define an interior region, wherein each wall section isjoined to a pair of rounded corner sections and has an opening therein;a plurality of electrical power devices located within the interiorregion, wherein each electrical power device is attached to acorresponding wall section and comprises an electrical power receptaclethat is positioned within the opening in the corresponding wall section;a top panel member positioned over the wall structure so as to cover theinterior region, the top panel member having a top side and a bottomside, wherein the wall structure is attached to bottom side of the toppanel member; and an electrical power cable having a first portion thatextends through the through-hole in the bottom panel member and iselectrically connected to all of the electrical power devices, and asecond portion that is configured for connection to an electrical powersource.
 2. The portable apparatus according to claim 1 wherein eachelectrical power device further comprises at least one device chargingport that is positioned within the opening in the corresponding wallsection.
 3. The portable apparatus according to claim 2 wherein eachopening in each wall section is generally rectangular in shape.
 4. Theportable apparatus according to claim 1 wherein bottom panel member hasa first predetermined perimeter and a perimetrical edge and wherein thewall structure has a second predetermined perimeter that is less thanthe first predetermined perimeter such that the wall structure is offsetfrom the first perimetrical edge of the bottom panel member.
 5. Theportable apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the top panel member hasa third predetermined perimeter and a perimetrical edge, wherein thethird predetermined perimeter is substantially the same as the firstpredetermined perimeter and the wall structure is offset from theperimetrical edge of the top panel member.
 6. The portable apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of feet membersattached to the bottom side of the bottom panel member.
 7. The portableapparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one device chargingport comprises a USB charging port.
 8. The portable apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the at least one electrical power receptaclecomprises an AC power receptacle.
 9. The portable apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein the electrical power device comprises an input forreceiving a first electrical voltage at a first electrical current andconversion circuitry that converts the first voltage to a second voltageat a second electrical current, wherein the second electrical voltageand second electrical current is less than the first electrical voltageand the first electrical current, respectively, and is provided by theat least one device charging port.
 10. The portable apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the top side of the top panel member is substantiallyflat.
 11. The portable apparatus according to claim 1 further comprisesa plurality of feet members attached to the bottom side of the bottompanel member.
 12. The portable apparatus according to claim 11 whereinall of the feet members have bottom surfaces for contacting a worksurface and wherein all of the feet members include a body portion andan extending portion that extends from the body portion, wherein theextending portion is spaced apart from the bottom side of the bottompanel member so as to provide a space, wherein the spaces between eachextending portion and the bottom side of the bottom panel member allowthe electrical power cable to be wrapped around all of the feet membersand positioned within the spaces.
 13. The portable apparatus accordingto claim 12 wherein each extending portion has a plurality of ribsthereon to prevent the electrical power cable from sliding off theextending portions.
 14. The portable apparatus according to claim 12wherein all of the feet members have a threaded nut embedded in thebottom surface, wherein the threaded nuts confront the work surface whenthe portable apparatus is positioned on the work surface, wherein eachthreaded nut is configured to be engaged with a complementary screw. 15.The portable apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising meansfor removably attaching the portable apparatus to a work surface. 16.The portable apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising aclamping device for removably attaching the portable apparatus to anarticle of furniture, the clamping device comprising: a fastener deviceattached to the bottom panel member, the fastener device beingsubstantially vertically oriented and having a distal end, the fastenerdevice including a longitudinally extending axis, a threaded boreextending along the longitudinally extending axis, and an opening at thedistal end that provides access to the threaded bore; a plate memberhaving an opening therethrough, the plate member being configured tocontact a bottom side of the article of furniture; and a threaded membercomprising a head portion and a shaft portion, the shaft portion havinga diameter and being sized for insertion through the opening in theplate member and threadedly engaged with the threaded bore of thefastener device, the head portion having a size that is relativelylarger than the diameters of the shaft member and the opening in theplate member.
 17. The portable apparatus according to claim 16 whereinthe clamping device further comprises a washer member having an openingthat has a diameter that is relatively smaller than the size of the headportion, the shaft portion being disposed through the opening of thewasher member, wherein the washer member is positioned between the platemember and the head portion of the threaded member.
 18. The portableapparatus according to claim 17 wherein the plate member has a firstside for contacting the bottom side of the article of furniture and anopposite, second side for contacting the washer member, the first andsecond sides being substantially flat.